Titanium luggage support structure

ABSTRACT

A luggage support structure is disclosed to include a frame member where at least a portion of the frame member comprises titanium. In one embodiment, the support structure further includes a plate member near the top of the luggage to provide additional support.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/468,974, filed Mar. 29, 2011 and entitled “TITANIUM LUGGAGE SUPPORT STRUCTURE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to luggage, and more particularly to a support structure of the luggage.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Luggage is known in the art and is often used by people, particularly travelers, for transporting personal belongings between one location and another. Luggage typically includes two types of shell material: hard shell or soft shell. A conventional hard shell is often manufactured by directly molding plastic resin into the desired shape. A soft shell is typically made from fabric sheet material. A luggage made with soft shell material often requires a stronger support system than a hard shell luggage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a luggage support structure that is highly impact resistant, durable, and light-weight.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a luggage comprising: a side surface; a frame member, said frame comprising an upper end, a lower end, and opposing lateral edges extending between said upper end and said lower end, wherein the shape of said frame member corresponds to the shape of said side surface; and wherein at least a portion of said frame member comprises titanium.

In one embodiment, the upper end comprises titanium. In another embodiment the lower end comprises titanium. In another embodiment, at least a portion of said frame member comprises PVC piping. In another embodiment, at least a portion of said frame member comprises graphite. In another embodiment, all of said frame member comprises titanium.

In one embodiment, the luggage further comprises a plate member located near a top surface of said luggage. In another embodiment, the plate member comprises titanium.

In one embodiment, at least 25% of the frame member comprises titanium. In another embodiment, at least 50% of the frame member comprises titanium. In yet another embodiment, at least 75% of the frame member comprises titanium.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the embodiments present disclosure in order that the detailed description of these embodiments that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed methods and apparatuses, reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a first embodiment of the present disclosure with a frame made of titanium and PVC Piping.

FIG. 2 is a prospective view of a second embodiment of the present disclosure with a frame made of titanium and graphite.

FIG. 3 is a prospective view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure with a titanium only frame.

FIG. 4 is a prospective view of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure with a titanium only frame and a titanium plate member.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methods and apparatuses or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 depict various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts luggage 100 having front surface 102, side surface 104, and top surface 106. In FIG. 1, luggage 100 has a support structure that includes frame member 108. In the preferred embodiment, frame member 108 is generally rectangular. The size and shape of frame member 108 preferably matches or corresponds to the perimeter or edge of side surface 104. While FIG. 1 shows only one side surface 104 and one corresponding frame member 108, it is understood that luggage 100 has a second side surface and corresponding frame member that are opposite of side surface 104 and frame member 108, and the description of side surface 104 and frame member 108 applies equally to the second side surface and second frame member. Referring to FIG. 1, frame member 108 preferably has generally curved corners. However, the corners may be straight, or sharp, depending on the design of luggage 100. For demonstration purposes, the frame members (e.g., 108, 208, 308, and 408) are depicted as visible on luggage 100 in FIGS. 1-4. It is understood, however, that shell material may cover frame member 108 in most typical embodiments.

Front surface 102 can comprise various pocket designs as shown or other designs known to those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, luggage 100 comprises a soft shell material, such as a fabric shell, that forms at least a portion of front surface 102, side surface 104, and top surface 106. In other embodiments, luggage 100 can also include hard shell material such as various types of plastics known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description of the shell material is applicable for luggage 200, 300, and 400 of FIGS. 2-4, respectively.

In FIG. 1, top portion 110 of frame member 108 is preferably made of titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 108 is made of PVC piping. In one embodiment, at least about 25% of frame member 108 comprises titanium to provide additional support to frame member 108 and luggage 100 while the remaining portion of frame member 108 comprises PVC piping or a material with similar properties. In the preferred embodiment, about 75% of the frame member 108 comprises titanium while the remaining 25% comprises PVC piping or a similar material. In one embodiment, the titanium portion of frame member 108 is near the top of luggage 100 as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, not shown, the titanium portion is near the bottom of luggage 100 while the remaining portion of frame member 108 is made of PVC piping or a similar material. In yet another embodiment, also not shown, both the top and bottom portions of frame member 108 are made of titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 108 between the top and bottom portions is made of PVC piping or a similar material.

Referring to FIG. 2, it depicts luggage 200 having front surface 202, side surface 204, and top surface 206. In FIG. 2, luggage 200 has a support structure that includes frame member 208. As with FIG. 1, while FIG. 2 shows only one side surface 204 and frame member 208, it is understood that luggage 200 has a second side surface and corresponding frame member that are opposite of side surface 204 frame member 208, and the description of side surface 204 and frame member 208 applies equally to the second side surface and frame member. Similar to frame member 108, in the preferred embodiment, frame member 208 is generally rectangular. The size and shape of frame member 208 preferably matches or corresponds to the perimeter or edge of side surface 204. Referring to FIG. 2, frame member 208 preferably has generally curved corners. However, the corners may be straight, or sharp, depending on the design of luggage 200.

In FIG. 2, the top portion 210 of frame member 208 is preferably made of titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 208 is made of graphite. In one embodiment, at least about 25% of frame member 208 comprises titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 208 comprises graphite or a material with similar properties. In another embodiment, up to about 75% of frame member 208 comprises titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 208 comprises graphite or a material with similar properties. In the preferred embodiment, about 50% of the frame member 208 comprises titanium while the remaining 50% comprises graphite or a similar material. In one embodiment, the titanium portion of frame member 208 is near the top of luggage 200 as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, not shown, the titanium portion is near the bottom of luggage 200 while the remaining portion of frame member 108 is made of graphite or a similar material. In yet another embodiment, also not shown, both the top and bottom portions of frame member 208 are made of titanium while the remaining portion of frame member 208 between the top and bottom portions is made of graphite or a similar material.

Referring to FIG. 3, it depicts luggage 300 having front surface 302, side surface 304, and top surface 306. In FIG. 3, luggage 300 has a support structure that includes frame member 308. As with FIG. 1, while FIG. 3 shows only one side surface 304 and frame member 308, it is understood that luggage 300 has a second side surface and corresponding frame member that are opposite of side surface 304 frame member 308, and the description of side surface 304 and frame member 308 applies equally to the second side surface and frame member. Similar to frame member 108, in the preferred embodiment, frame member 308 is generally rectangular. The size and shape of frame member 308 preferably matches or corresponds to the perimeter or edge of side surface 304. Referring to FIG. 3, frame member 308 preferably has generally curved corners. However, the corners may be straight, or sharp, depending on the design of luggage 300.

In FIG. 3, all of frame member 308 is preferably made of titanium. In one embodiment, the diameter of frame member 308 is preferably up to about 25% less than the diameter of frame members 108 and 208. In other embodiments, it is envisioned that the diameter of frame member 308 is more preferably about 15% and most preferably about 10% less than the diameter of frame members 108 and 208. While frame member 308 is stronger than frame members 108 and 208 because all its portions comprise titanium, frame members 108 and 208 still provide improved impact resistance due to the titanium providing improved strength to the portion(s) of the frame members 108 and 208 that experience the most force during use without adding extra weight while the luggage 100 and 200 can remain cost-effective.

Referring to FIG. 4, it depicts luggage 400 having front surface 402, side surface 404, and top surface 406. In FIG. 4, luggage 400 has a support structure that includes frame member 408. As with FIG. 1, while FIG. 4 shows only one side surface 404 and frame member 408, it is understood that luggage 400 has a second side surface and corresponding frame member that are opposite of side surface 404 frame member 408, and the description of side surface 404 and frame member 408 applies equally to the second side surface and frame member. Similar to frame member 108, in the preferred embodiment, frame member 408 is generally rectangular. The size and shape of frame member 408 preferably matches or corresponds to the perimeter or edge of side surface 404. Referring to FIG. 4, frame member 408 preferably has generally curved corners. However, the corners may be straight, or sharp, depending on the design of luggage 400.

Similar to luggage 300 of FIG. 3, all of frame member 408 is preferably made of titanium. In addition, the support structure of luggage 400 preferably includes plate member 410 that is preferably made of titanium. Plate member 410 is located near or at top surface 406. In the preferred embodiment, plate member 410 is generally rectangular. For demonstration purposes, the plate member 410 is depicted as visible in FIG. 4. It is understood, however, that shell material would cover plate member 410 in actuality. Plate member 410 provides luggage 400 additional support and impact resistance during use. The dimensions of plate member 410 generally varies according to the size of luggage 400. For instance, in one embodiment, a luggage with dimensions in the range of 20 to 26 inches long by 13 to 17 inches wide by 12 to 15 inches deep has a plate member with dimensions of 13 inches wide by 4 inches long and approximately half an inch thick. In another embodiment, a luggage with dimensions in the range of 27 to 29 inches long by 17 to 19 inches wide by 15 to 17 inches deep has a plate member with dimensions of 17 inches wide by 7 inches long and approximately half an inch thickness. The actual size of the plate member will vary depending on the size and construction of the luggage. For example, a luggage with a width less than 13 inches may have a plate that is proportionally smaller than the listed 13 inches. Conversely, a luggage that is wider than 17 to 19 inches may have a plate that is proportionally wider than the listed 17 inches. In another embodiment, frame member 408 may comprise PVC piping or graphite as described above with respect to frame members 108 and 208.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

1. A luggage comprising: a side surface; a frame member, said frame comprising an upper end, a lower end, and opposing lateral edges extending between said upper end and said lower end, wherein the shape of said frame member corresponds to the shape of said side surface; and wherein at least a portion of said frame member comprises titanium.
 2. The luggage of claim 1 wherein said upper end comprises titanium.
 3. The luggage of claim 1 wherein said lower end comprises titanium.
 4. The luggage of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said frame member comprises PVC piping.
 5. The luggage of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said frame member comprises graphite.
 6. The luggage of claim 1 wherein all of said frame member comprises titanium.
 7. The luggage of claim 1 wherein at least 25% of the frame member comprises titanium.
 8. The luggage of claim 1 wherein at least 50% of the frame member comprises titanium.
 9. The luggage of claim 1 wherein at least 75% of the frame member comprises titanium.
 10. The luggage of claim 1 further comprising a plate member located near a top surface of said luggage.
 11. The luggage of claim 7 wherein the plate member comprises titanium. 